Doe and Hope

Description

The very decorative giant plaster head of Amphitrite, 2nd C BC, which would have been part of a much larger frieze wall, the cast showing the centuries of weathering and losses taken directly from the marble original, surviving from the last quarter of twentieth century England.

The head is in good sound order with no losses. It would suit being displayed in any number of ways, be it upon a console or a pedestal.

Amphitrite was one of the sea nymphs Nereids, fifty sisters in total and daughters of Nereus and Doris. She was the wife of Poseidon and had two children with him a son named Triton, a merman and Rhode. Amphitrite also gave birth to other children, such as seals and dolphins. Initially, she was considered an important deity, as mentioned in the Homeric Hymn, when she was present at the birth of Apollo, alongside Dione, Rhea and Themis.

Deemed as "the third one who encircles [the sea]", she was so entirely confined in her authority to the sea and the creatures in it that she was almost never associated with her husband, either for purposes of worship or in works of art, except when he was to be distinctly regarded as the god who controlled the sea.

A wonderful decorators piece and possibly a unique item.